Improvement in gate-latches



T. P. WUMAGRUDER.

Gate-Latch.

No. 200,660. Patented Feb. 26,1878.

WITNESSES: J I 1 INVBNTOR:

J 1 9% Ju /WM,

WWM/ B? "M ATTORNEYS.

N. PETERS, PHOTO'LITHDGRAPNER, WASHINGTON D O,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS P. W. MAGRUDER, OF RUSHVILLE, ILLINOIS.

IM PROVEM ENT IN GATE-LATCH ES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 200,660, dated February 26, 1878; application filed January 17, 1878.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS P. W. MAGRU- DER, of Rushville, in the county of Schuyler and State of Illinois, have invented a new and Improved Gate-Latch; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same.

The object of the invention is to provide for horizontally-swin gin g gates an improved latch, which may be easily adjusted to adapt it to engage with the keeper on the latch-post when the gate has sagged or is otherwise thrown out of proper relation to the latchpost. To this end I construct the latch of curved or semicircular form, and provide it with a lug or projection, through which passes a screw, whose adjustment with reference to the latch-guard or other fixed abutment adjusts the latch so that it will always strike on the bevel of the keeper, and thus enable the gate to latch easily when swung shut, as hereinafter described.

In the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 is front elevation, and Fig. 2 a plan view, of a gate provided with my improved latch.

The latch A is a semicircular bar, pivoted at one end to the front upper portion of the gate B, while its lower end passes through a guard, G, and enters (when the gate is closed) the slot of a beveled keeper, D, on the post E. The latch is provided with a lug or proj ec-' tion, a, located about equidistant between its lower end and the middle of its curve, and through said lug passes the screw F, whose inner end bears against the guard C. It is obvious that by turning the screw the lower end of the latch will be adjusted, or caused to project more or less beyond the front end of the gate. This adjustment is required in case the gate sags or shrinks, or is otherwise thrown out of position with reference to the post, in order to cause the latch to strike properly or at the proper point on the beveled side ofthe keeper D, and thereby enable the gate to close and latch easily.

The latch is provided with a vertical arm, 11, to adapt it to be operated by a person on horseback.

The keeper D is secured to the post by screws and provided with slots, as shown, to adapt it to be adjusted vertically when required by reason of the gate sagging, so that the keeper may always be in the position required to enable the latch to enter its slot.

I do not claim, broadly, a curved latch pendent from a pivot at its upper end, and operating by gravity to engage with a keeper or gate, as the case may be.

What I claim is The adjusting-screw, in combination with the curved pivoted pendent latch and the guard or keeper, substantially as shown and described.

The above specification of my invention signed by me this 8th day of January, 1878.

THOMAS P. W. MAGRUDER.

Witnesses:

SoLoN C. KnMoN, CHAS. A. PETTIT. 

